Grouping images according to context

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for grouping and sharing images is disclosed. It comprises a processing unit configured to: obtain a sequence of media data entities, the media data entities comprising at least one digital image frame that includes an optical machine-readable code comprising a contextual collection identifier and a sharing destination, identify the contextual collection identifier and the sharing destination from the optical machine-readable code, create a contextual collection based on the contextual collection identifier, add subsequent media data entities to the contextual collection, receive a selection of media data entities to be shared in the sharing destination, and upload the media data entities to the sharing destination based on the selection.

BACKGROUND

Digital image frames can be captured by various types of devices, suchas digital cameras and portable and mobile devices incorporating adigital camera or a digital camera module. When collected and grouped,the images can be added to albums. Metadata of each image can also beused to group these images and share them in social media.

Efficiency of arranging and organizing images and other media capturedat the same events depends on the methods and devices used for theirgrouping.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The apparatus according to the present application comprises a processorwhich is configured to analyze a sequence of media files. These filesmay be received or created by the apparatus itself. The apparatus findsa machine readable code in one of the media files and creates acontextual collection for files that follow the one with the readablecode. The code itself provides the rules for the contextual collectionand sharing destination. The user may then select files from thecontextual collection and share them in the said destination.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as theybecome better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. Theembodiments described below are not limited to implementations whichsolve any or all of the disadvantages of known image sorting methods.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the followingdetailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an apparatus capable of creatingcontextual collections according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically an apparatus capable of creatingcontextual collections and comprising a camera, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an apparatus capable of generating andshowing an optical computer-readable code on its display;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a system according to an aspect; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for sharing media filesbetween two or more devices according to an aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of a number of embodiments and isnot intended to represent the only forms in which the embodiments may beconstructed, implemented, or utilized.

At least some of the embodiments and examples described below may allow,for example, reliable and efficient grouping of media data entitieshaving the same context and sharing them between multiple devices.

The apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 may be, for example, a server computer whichmay be configured to operate as part of a cloud service or for any otherappropriate server operations, a personal computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a digital imagedisplaying apparatus configured to serve for displaying digital imagesor an apparatus of any other appropriate type.

The apparatus 100 comprises a processing unit 110 which is configured toobtain a sequence of media data entities 120, individual entities markedby 120′, 120″ and illustrated as digital images in the Figures. Thesedigital images may be received from a device that can be a capturingdevice and/or a memory storing the images. The memory may be locatedoutside the device, for example on an external memory, a memory card, acloud memory, or in the internal storage of the device. As it is clearto a skilled person, the media data entities may include file typesother than digital images.

Obtaining a media data entity comprising image data, and possiblymetadata, of a digital image frame constitutes an example of obtainingimage data of that digital image frame.

A “digital image frame”, or shortly a “frame”, refers to a data contentcaptured via exposure of pixels or some other light-sensing element(s)of an image sensor. A frame thus comprises image data enablingcomposition of a displayable digital image on the basis of that imagedata. Image data of a digital image frame may comprise, for example,information about light to which pixels of an image sensor were exposed.A frame may be captured as a frame for a still image or as one frame ofa video sequence or some other frame sequence or group of frames.

In the example of FIG. 1, each obtained media data entity 120′, 120″comprises image data of one digital image frame. In other embodiments,one media data entity may comprise image data of several digital imageframes.

“Obtaining” a media data entity or any other appropriate data contentrefers to any appropriate way of providing available, for automatic dataprocessing and/or storage purposes, such data content. For example, suchdata content or a part of such may be obtained via any appropriate wiredor wireless data transmission path from another device or apparatus oranother unit of the same apparatus, from an external data server or, forexample, from a cloud service. Such data content may also be stored inor on any appropriate data storage unit, element, medium, or device,from which the processing unit may obtain the data content.

In general, a capturing device may comprise any type of deviceincorporating a digital image sensor configured to capture digital imageframes. In addition to various types of general purpose computing orcommunicating devices, the capturing device may be a specific imagingdevice or apparatus, such as a compact digital camera or a digitalsingle-lens reflex (DSLR) camera.

Metadata of a digital image frame may be generated and arrangedaccording to any appropriate data format, and associated to thecorresponding image data in any appropriate manner.

The sequence of media data entities 120 comprises at least one digitalimage frame 120′ that includes an optical machine-readable code 151comprising a contextual collection identifier and a sharing destination.The digital frame 120′ may be referred to as a reference image frame,because subsequent media data entities (120″ and onward) are grouped andadded to the collection, as discussed below; while previous media dataentities may be removed from context. For example, the media data entity120′″ is shown as preceding the image frame 120′ with code, and so 120′″is illustrated in a dashed line on FIG. 1 as one of the entities thatmay not be used in the contextual collection.

The optical machine-readable code 151 may be captured from an image view150 that includes the code 151. This is illustrated only schematically,and the image view 150 may comprise other elements or be a generatedimage view that has the optical machine-readable code 151. Further, theobtained media data entities 120 comprise regular media data entities120″ each of which may be an image, a video, a document or any othermedia data entity.

The optical machine-readable code 151 may be a graphic binary code. AQuick Response (QR) code is shown in FIG. 1 for illustration purposesonly, but it also represents an example of a graphic binary code in theform of a matrix or two-dimensional barcode forming at least part of anoptical machine-readable code. In other embodiments, a two-dimensionalbarcode may be formed in accordance with some other standard, such asAztec Code, Data Matrix, or PDF417. In yet other embodiments, instead ofa two-dimensional or matrix barcode, a graphic binary code may be alinear or one-dimensional barcodes formed in accordance with anyappropriate standard, such as Code 11, Code 25, Code 39, and other“Code” standards, various EAN standards, and various GS1 standards.

“Graphic binary code” refers to a code in which information is coded ina pattern formed of spatially alternating areas of two different colors,e.g. black and white. In addition to different colors distributed inseparate areas along a horizontal plane, in some embodiments, such codemay further comprise height variations. One example of such codes is athree-dimensional barcode which may be implemented, for example, as a QRtype code with the black and/or white regions (or regions with any otherappropriate colors) lying at different heights or levels.

“Optical” refers to optically detectable nature of the code, allowingcapturing a digital image frame of a scene comprising the time marking,in which digital image frame the code is detectable. “Machine-readable”refers further to the nature of the code allowing detecting andrecognizing the information provided by the code in such digital imageframe, on the basis of the image data thereof, by digital imageprocessing and analyzing operations.

After obtaining the sequence of media data entities 120, the processingunit 110 is configured to identify the contextual collection identifierand the sharing destination from the optical machine-readable code 151,and create a contextual collection 121 based on the identifier.Recognizing the reference digital image frame 120′ which comprises themachine-readable code 151 may be based on detecting the code 151 anddetermining the reference image frame 120′ indicated thereby using anyappropriate computer vision or machine vision principles and operationscomprising, for example, various image processing algorithms.

The contextual collection 121 can be an album with metadata that isshared among all the media data entities that are in this album. Thecontextual collection identifier may be a code or any other identifierthat is identifiable from an optical machine-readable code. Thecollection identifier may comprise an album metadata, which is then usedby the processing unit 110 to create an album by adding the identifierto the metadata of each media data entity that is added to thecollection. The collection identifier may also comprise additional rulesfor the contextual collection, for example a time interval when mediadata entities need to be created in order to be added to the collection,or a location requirement for where the media data entities need to becreated in order to be added.

The reference frame 120′ indicated by the QR code or, in otherembodiments, by another optical machine-readable time marking,represents the starting point of a subsequently created contextualcollection.

After the processing unit 110 creates the contextual collection 121based on the contextual collection identifier, it is further configuredto add subsequent media data entities (120″ and onward) to thecontextual collection 121. In an embodiment, the reference frame 120′may also be added to the contextual collection 121. The word “context”added to the image frames shown in FIG. 1 represents that the media dataentities 120″ onwards have been added to the contextual collection 121,and assigned a context that may be added to each media entity'smetadata. The processing unit may also be configured to assignadditional metadata to the media data entities in the contextualcollection 121, wherein this additional metadata identifies userinformation, for example identifying the user of the apparatus 100. Thisallows creating the collection with an album-level metadata that maylater be assigned to individual media data entities, and does not relyon the media data entities' existing metadata.

The processing unit 110 is configured to receive a selection of mediadata entities to be shared in the sharing destination 122, and uploadthe media data entities to the sharing destination 122 based on theselection. The selection may be a user selection of media data entitiesto be added to the sharing destination. In an implementation, a user maybe prompted to select for example images from a contextual collectionthat he or she wishes to share with other users sharing files with thesame context, so after this prompt the processor uploads the selectedfiles to the sharing destination 122. In an embodiment, the selection ofmedia data entities added to the sharing destination 122 is performedautomatically based on metadata of the media data images, according to apredetermined set of rules.

The sharing destination 122 may be set in a remote storage device, asschematically illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the sharingdestination is set in a local memory of the apparatus 100, asschematically illustrated in FIG. 2. The user selection may be providedby any suitable user input means that the apparatus 100, 200 maycomprise.

According to an embodiment, the processing unit 110 is configured tostop adding media data entities to the contextual collection 121 after apredetermined parameter is satisfied. For example, metadata of theentities may be analyzed and an entity that was created later than apredetermined time, or created in a location other than thepredetermined location, may trigger the processing unit to stop addingmedia data entities to the contextual collection 121. Alternatively, theprocessing unit can be configured to receive user input to remove, or toprevent adding, certain media data entities to the contextual collection121 in the memory of the apparatus 100. For example, a user may beprompted to select a media data entity that will not be added, or willbe removed, from the contextual collection 121 with all subsequent mediadata entities.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment wherein the apparatus 200 comprises a digitalcamera 210 and a memory wherein the sharing destination 122 is set. Thisis shown for exemplary purposes only, and the sharing destination 122may be set in any other location as well. If it is set in the localmemory of the apparatus 200, other apparatuses according to aboveembodiments may be set to share the media data entities in the localmemory of the apparatus 200.

The digital image camera 220 includes an image sensor and is capable ofcapturing digital image frames. The processing unit 110 is configured toobtain a sequence of media data entities 120 from the digital camera210. The digital camera 210 may be implemented, for example, as adigital camera module incorporated in a mobile or portable device suchas a mobile phone, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. Theprocessing unit may 110 be configured to obtain a sequence of digitalimage frames in real time, and add subsequent digital image frames tothe contextual collection 121 as they are captured.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, metadata of media dataentities 120′, 120″ can comprise their time of creation. Other datarelated e.g. to the image capture, such as location information, mayalso be included in the metadata obtained together with the sequence ofmedia data entities 120. The processing unit 110 may use the time ofcapture to determine which media data entities 120″ chronologicallyfollow the image frame 120′ with the machine-readable code. Theprocessing unit 110 can make this determination by comparing their timeof creation and adding entities 120″ created after the image frame 120′to the contextual collection 121.

In the embodiment shown on FIG. 2, the processing unit 110 is configuredto assign additional metadata to the media data entities 120″ in thecontextual collection 121, wherein this additional metadata identifiesusers in the sharing destination 122. This is noted in the Figure by theword “username” in the schematic metadata section of the selected mediadata entities in the sharing destination 122.

A technical effect of the above embodiments can be the possibility toautomatically group images according to a context that is created withthe optical machine-readable code. A further technical effect isallowing sharing selected media data entities in the same location asother users that captured the same optical machine-readable code,because that code determines the context and sharing destination.

In embodiments, a processing unit of an apparatus may be configured toobtain media data entities captured by any number of capturing devicesand is not limited to one device only.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an embodiment wherein additionaloperations are performed by the processing unit 110 of apparatuses 100,200 shown in FIGS. 1-2. The processing unit 110 may be configured toreceive an initial indication for creating a contextual collection,create the contextual collection 121 and its identifier, assign asharing destination 122, and generate (in box 312) an opticalmachine-readable code 151 comprising the contextual collectionidentifier.

The apparatus according to the above embodiment may also include adisplay 313, wherein the processing unit is configured display thegenerated optical machine-readable code 151 on the display 313.

The machine-readable code 151 may then be captured and used as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1-2. The indication for creating acontextual collection may be received in form of a user input, or basedon a predetermined prompt such as a phone call, a certain time and date,or any other suitable indication. In an example embodiment, a newcontextual identifier may be created based on a digital image withrelevant information recognized by a recognition software.

The apparatus 100, 200 may comprise a computer program which, when runon the processor, makes the processor carry out the operations discussedin any the above embodiments. The computer program may also beconfigured to provide a possibility for creating a new contextualcollection identifier and setting a sharing location.

The definitions and advantages discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1to 3 apply, mutatis mutandis, also to the systems and methods discussedbelow with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a system according to an aspect. The systemmay incorporate some of the abovementioned apparatuses and embodiments.The system comprises a context display unit 400, a mobile device 401comprising a digital camera and a processing unit, a digital camera 402that can be connected to a computer 403 and a sharing destination 404illustrated as a server, for example on a cloud.

The context display unit 400 may comprise a display, and is configuredto display an optical machine-readable code 151. The context displayunit 400 may also comprise a processing unit configured to carry outoperations described with reference to FIG. 3, generating the opticalmachine-readable code 151. Alternatively, the context display unit 400may be configured to obtain the machine-readable code 151 and displaythe obtained code 151.

The optical machine-readable code comprises a contextual collectionidentifier and a destination identifier linked to the sharingdestination 404.

The mobile device 401 comprising an in-built camera, and the digitalcamera 402, are configured to capture images and store them in achronological order. In an example embodiment, when the camera of themobile device 401 is pointed at the optical machine-readable code 151,the mobile device 401 may be configured to replace the code 151 with anappropriate shape on the display of the mobile device 401. The shape isschematically illustrated as a hexagon on FIG. 4, and this is only avisual example of any shape that may appear on the screen. This may beperformed using an “augmented reality technology” application, and theshape replacing the QR code may be selected based on instructionscomprised in the contextual collection identifier or a separateidentifier included in the machine-readable code.

The digital camera 402 is configured to transfer the capturedchronologically ordered images to a computer 403.

The mobile device 401 and the computer 403 are further configured toidentify the contextual collection identifier and the sharingdestination from the optical machine-readable code 151, and each createa contextual collection based on the contextual collection identifier.The created contextual collections are local to the mobile device 401and the computer 403. The mobile device 401 and the computer 403 areconfigured to add to the contextual collection images that were capturedchronologically after the image that includes the opticalmachine-readable code 151. The mobile device 401 and the computer 403are further configured to receive a user selection of images to beshared, illustrated as a chronological sequence of images 420, andsharing these images in the sharing destination 404.

The sharing destination 404 is then accessible to view and/or edit byany user of any device that has uploaded images with from contextualcollections based on the same contextual collection identifier.

Elements of the system such as the mobile device 401, digital camera 402and computer 403 should not be interpreted as limiting features, and arepresented as specific devices for example purposes only. The system isnot limited to the devices, device types and connections illustrated onFIG. 4. The system is also not limited to the number of devicespresented on the Figure. As it is clear to a skilled person, the systemmay include any number of devices and the mobile device 401 or digitalcamera 402 may be easily replaced with any other suitable electronicapparatus capable of capturing images and/or creating other media dataentities.

In the examples of FIGS. 1-4, the reference digital image frame 120′ iscaptured so that the optical machine-readable code 151 covers the mainpart of the image area. The reference digital image frame isspecifically intended for providing the reference time. In otherembodiments, reference digital image frames may be used where an opticalmachine-readable time marking forms a part of a general scene only. Thismay be the case, for example, in embodiments where only one media dataentity with one digital image frame is obtained by a processing unit.

A reference digital image frame for providing the reference time may becaptured, for example, from a display of an apparatus, showing the QRcode or, in other embodiments, another type of optical machine-readabletime marking. Such display may be, for example, a display of a portableor mobile apparatus comprising a reference clock, or a specific displaydevice displaying an optical machine-readable time marking of areference clock. In the latter case, it is possible, for example, tohave a large screen at a venue of a public event or at any public place.People capturing digital image frames at such venue or place may thencapture one digital image frame of a scene comprising the screen toserve as a reference digital image frame to provide the reference timeinformation.

Being “configured to” perform the above operations when in use refers tothe capability of and suitability of a processing unit for suchoperations. This may be achieved in various ways. For example, theprocessing unit may comprise at least one processor and at least onememory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing programcode instructions which, when run on the at least one processor, causethe processor to perform the action(s) at issue. The program codeinstructions may be included in a computer program, for example anapplication, that is, when run on the processing unit, is capable ofcarrying out the mentioned operations.

Alternatively, or in addition, the functionally described features canbe performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logiccomponents. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types ofhardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmableGate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems(SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.

The processing unit may be a dedicated unit or sub-unit of a larger unitor module, specifically designed for the above operations.Alternatively, it may be a general purpose unit or sub-unit of theapparatus, also configured to operate other operations and actions.

In any embodiment discussed above, a display controller may beimplemented as a separate controller or a part of a processing unit.

The operations which the processing units and the display controllers ofthe apparatuses and systems discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 to4 are configured to carry out constitute operations of example methodswhich may be carried out also by other apparatuses of any appropriatetypes. The methods discussed below with reference to FIG. 5 may becarried out by apparatuses and systems generally in accordance with anyof those discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Thoseapparatuses, in turn, may operate generally in accordance with any ofthe methods discussed below with reference to FIG. 5.

The method of FIG. 5 may be a method of sharing media data entitiesbetween two or more devices. The method starts by obtaining, inoperation 501, a sequence of media data entities, the media dataentities comprising at least one digital image frame that includes anoptical machine-readable code comprising a contextual collectionidentifier and a sharing destination. The optical machine-readable codemay comprise a graphic binary code.

In operation 502, the contextual collection identifier and the sharingdestination from the optical machine-readable code is identified, whichis followed by 503 creating a contextual collection based on thecontextual collection identifier and automatically adding subsequentmedia data entities to the contextual collection.

Then, a user selection of media data entities to be shared in thesharing destination is received in operation 504, and the media dataentities are uploaded to the sharing destination based on the userselection in operation 505.

“Automatically” performing one or more operations refers to performingthe operation(s) at issue by one or more appropriate data processingunits or modules, such as the process units and display controllersdiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to specificrules and procedures, without need for any contribution provided ordetermination performed by a user of an apparatus or deviceincorporating such unit or module. In addition to those operationsspecifically stated to be performed automatically, also other operationsmay be carried completely or partially automatically.

Some embodiments are further discussed shortly in the following.

According to a first aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatuscomprises a processing unit configured to: obtain a sequence of mediadata entities, the media data entities comprising at least one digitalimage frame that includes an optical machine-readable code comprising acontextual collection identifier and a sharing destination; identify thecontextual collection identifier and the sharing destination from theoptical machine-readable code; create a contextual collection based onthe contextual collection identifier; add subsequent media data entitiesto the contextual collection; receive a user selection of media dataentities to be shared in the sharing destination; and upload the mediadata entities to the sharing destination based on the user selection.

In an embodiment, in addition to the above, the contextual collectionidentifier comprises an album metadata; and the processing unit isconfigured to create an album based on the album metadata comprised inthe contextual collection identifier.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theobtained media data entities comprise metadata; and the processing unitis configured to add subsequent media data entities to the contextualcollection by adding the contextual collection identifier to themetadata of each of the subsequent media data entities.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theprocessing unit is configured to obtain a sequence of media dataentities in a chronological order of their creation, and to add to thecontextual collection the subsequent media data entities that arecreated chronologically later than the at least one digital image framethat includes the optical machine-readable code.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the mediadata entities comprise a series of digital image frames forming asequence of pictures or videos.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theapparatus comprises a digital camera including an image sensor andcapable of capturing digital image frames, wherein the processing unitis configured to obtain a sequence of media data entities from thedigital camera.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theprocessing unit is configured to obtain a sequence of digital imageframes in real time, and add subsequent digital image frames to thecontextual collection as they are captured.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theprocessing unit is configured to obtain a sequence of pre-recorded mediadata entities from a memory, the memory being selected from: a localstorage, a portable memory and a cloud memory.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theprocessing unit is configured to create a contextual collection withadditional metadata identifying user information in the sharingdestination.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theprocessing unit is also configured to: receive an initial indication forcreating a contextual collection, create the contextual collection andits identifier, assign a sharing destination, and generate an opticalmachine-readable code comprising the contextual collection identifierand the sharing destination.

In an embodiment, in addition to the above embodiment, the apparatusalso comprises a display, wherein the processing unit is configureddisplay the generated optical machine-readable code on the display.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the sharingdestination is set in a remote storage device.

In an embodiment, alternatively to the above embodiment, the sharingdestination is set in a local memory of the apparatus.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the opticalmachine-readable code comprises a graphic binary code. In an embodiment,the graphic binary code comprises a QR (Quick Response) code.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theapparatus is implemented as one of: server computer, personal computer,laptop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, mobile phone, and adigital image displaying apparatus.

According to a second aspect, a method is disclosed. The methodcomprises: obtaining a sequence of media data entities, the media dataentities comprising at least one digital image frame that includes anoptical machine-readable code comprising a contextual collectionidentifier and a sharing destination, identifying the contextualcollection identifier and the sharing destination from the opticalmachine-readable code, creating a contextual collection based on thecontextual collection identifier, automatically adding subsequent mediadata entities to the contextual collection, receiving a selection ofmedia data entities to be shared in the sharing destination, anduploading the media data entities to the sharing destination based onthe selection.

In an embodiment, in addition to the above, the contextual collectionidentifier comprises an album metadata; and the method further comprisescreating an album based on the album metadata comprised in thecontextual collection identifier.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theobtained media data entities comprise metadata; and the method comprisesadding subsequent media data entities to the contextual collection byadding the contextual collection identifier to the metadata of each ofthe subsequent media data entities.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the methodcomprises comprising obtaining a sequence of media data entities in achronological order of their creation, and automatically adding to thecontextual collection the subsequent media data entities that arecreated chronologically later than the at least one digital image framethat includes the optical machine-readable code.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the mediadata entities comprise a series of digital image frames forming asequence of pictures or videos.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the methodcomprises obtaining a sequence of media data entities from a digitalcamera.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the methodcomprises obtaining a sequence of digital image frames in real time, andadding subsequent digital image frames to the contextual collection asthey are captured.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, theprocessing unit is configured to obtain a sequence of pre-recorded mediadata entities from a memory, the memory being selected from: a localstorage, a portable memory and a cloud memory.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the methodcomprises creating a contextual collection with additional metadataidentifying user information in the sharing destination.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the methodalso comprises: receiving an initial indication for creating acontextual collection, creating the contextual collection and itsidentifier, assigning a sharing destination, and generating an opticalmachine-readable code comprising the contextual collection identifier.

In an embodiment, in addition to the above embodiment, the methodcomprises displaying the generated optical machine-readable code on adisplay.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the sharingdestination is set in a remote storage device.

In an embodiment, alternatively to the above embodiment, the sharingdestination is set in a local memory of the apparatus.

In an embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the above, the opticalmachine-readable code comprises a graphic binary code. In an embodiment,the graphic binary code comprises a QR (Quick Response) code.

According to a third aspect, a method is disclosed. The methodcomprises: receiving an initial indication for creating a contextualcollection, creating the contextual collection and its identifier,assigning a sharing destination for media data entities subsequentlyadded to the contextual collection, generating an opticalmachine-readable code comprising the contextual collection identifier,and displaying the generated optical machine-readable code on a display.

In a fourth aspect, a computer program, which may be stored on acomputer-readable medium, may comprise program code instructions which,when run on a processor, cause the processor to carry out at least partof the operations of the method of the second and/or third aspect or anyof the specific embodiments thereof discussed above.

In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprisesmeans for carrying out the operations of any of the methods describedabove.

In a sixth aspect, a system is disclosed. The system comprises: acontext display unit comprising a display and a processor configured toreceive an initial indication for creating a contextual collection,create the contextual collection and its identifier, assign a sharingdestination, and generate an optical machine-readable code comprisingthe contextual collection identifier and the sharing destination. Thesystem also comprises at least one digital image-capturing unit and amemory. The image-capturing unit is capable of capturing and storingdigital image frames, including images of the optical machine-readablecode comprising the contextual collection identifier.

The system also comprises at least one apparatus comprising a processorconfigured to: obtain a sequence of digital images from theimage-capturing unit, the sequence of digital images comprising at leastone digital image frame that includes the optical machine-readable codecomprising a contextual collection identifier and a sharing destination.The processor is further configured to identify the contextualcollection identifier and the sharing destination from the opticalmachine-readable code, create a local contextual collection based on thecontextual collection identifier, add subsequent digital images to thecontextual collection, receive a user selection of digital images to beshared in the sharing destination, and upload the digital images to thesharing destination based on the user selection. The apparatuscomprising a processor may also comprise the abovementionedimage-capturing unit. Alternatively, the image-capturing unit may beimplemented in a separate device.

Although some of the present embodiments may be described andillustrated as being implemented in a smartphone, a mobile phone, acomputer, or a camera, these are only examples of a device and not alimitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the presentembodiments are suitable for application in a variety of different typesof devices, such as portable and portable devices, for example, in lapupper computers, tablet computers, game consoles or game controllers,various wearable devices, etc.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described abovemay relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Theembodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the statedproblems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits andadvantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ itemrefers to one or more of those items.

The term “comprising” is used in this specification to mean includingthe feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding thepresence of one or more additional features or acts.

1. An apparatus comprising a processing unit configured to: obtain asequence of media data entities, the media data entities comprising atleast one digital image frame that includes an optical machine-readablecode comprising a contextual collection identifier and a sharingdestination, identify the contextual collection identifier and thesharing destination from the optical machine-readable code, create acontextual collection based on the contextual collection identifier, addsubsequent media data entities to the contextual collection, receive aselection of media data entities to be shared in the sharingdestination, and upload the media data entities to the sharingdestination based on the selection.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim1, wherein the contextual collection identifier comprises an albummetadata; and the processing unit is configured to create an album basedon the album metadata comprised in the contextual collection identifier.3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the obtained media dataentities comprise metadata; and the processing unit is configured to addsubsequent media data entities to the contextual collection by addingthe contextual collection identifier to the metadata of each of thesubsequent media data entities.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the processing unit is configured to obtain a sequence of mediadata entities in a chronological order of their creation, and to add tothe contextual collection the subsequent media data entities that arecreated chronologically later than the at least one digital image framethat includes the optical machine-readable code.
 5. An apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the media data entities comprise a series ofdigital image frames forming a sequence of pictures or videos.
 6. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1, comprising a digital camera includingan image sensor and capable of capturing digital image frames, whereinthe processing unit is configured to obtain a sequence of media dataentities from the digital camera.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6,wherein the processing unit is configured to obtain a sequence ofdigital image frames in real time, and add subsequent digital imageframes to the contextual collection as they are captured.
 8. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the processing unit isconfigured to obtain a sequence of pre-recorded media data entities froma memory, the memory being selected from: a local storage, a portablememory and a cloud memory.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the processing unit is configured to create a contextualcollection with additional metadata identifying user information in thesharing destination.
 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is also configured to: receive an initial indication forcreating a contextual collection, create the contextual collection andits identifier, assign a sharing destination, and generate an opticalmachine-readable code comprising the contextual collection identifierand the sharing destination.
 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10,comprising a display, wherein the processing unit is configured displaythe generated optical machine-readable code on the display.
 12. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sharing destination is setin a remote storage device.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1,wherein the sharing destination is set in a local memory of theapparatus.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the opticalmachine-readable code comprises a graphic binary code.
 15. An apparatusas defined in claim 14, wherein the graphic binary code comprises a QR(Quick Response) code.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1,implemented as one of: server computer, personal computer, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, smartphone, mobile phone, and a digital imagedisplaying apparatus.
 17. A method, comprising: obtaining a sequence ofmedia data entities, the media data entities comprising at least onedigital image frame that includes an optical machine-readable codecomprising a contextual collection identifier and a sharing destination,identifying the contextual collection identifier and the sharingdestination from the optical machine-readable code, creating acontextual collection based on the contextual collection identifier,automatically adding subsequent media data entities to the contextualcollection, receiving a selection of media data entities to be shared inthe sharing destination, and uploading the media data entities to thesharing destination based on the selection.
 18. A method as defined inclaim 17, wherein the contextual collection identifier comprises analbum metadata; and the method further comprises creating an album basedon the album metadata comprised in the contextual collection identifier.19. A method as defined in claim 17, comprising obtaining a sequence ofmedia data entities in a chronological order of their creation, andautomatically adding to the contextual collection the subsequent mediadata entities that are created chronologically later than the at leastone digital image frame that includes the optical machine-readable code.20. A method, comprising: receiving an initial indication for creating acontextual collection, creating the contextual collection and itsidentifier, assigning a sharing destination for media data entitiessubsequently added to the contextual collection, generating an opticalmachine-readable code comprising the contextual collection identifier,and displaying the generated optical machine-readable code on a display.